FUNDRAISING for Manorlands is on the slide – and the hospice is delighted!

More than 300 daredevils took the plunge at the weekend when a zip slide was set-up from South Craven landmark, Sutton Pinnacle.

And the venture coined-in about £50,000 for the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

Chuffed organisers said the event, the first of its kind held by Manorlands, was a huge success.

People of all ages, from eight to 76, took part.

“A lot of hard work went into putting it on but the result exceeded all expectations,” said Bob Tole, treasurer of Manorlands’ Riddlesden and East Morton support group.

“As a group we get a huge amount of pleasure not only from the amount raised for the hospice, but from the positive feedback we receive from those taking part.

“For most people it was the first time they’d been on a zip wire, and they loved it. They were asking when the next one would be!”

The zip wire was set-up in two sections, with an initial 50-metre ‘jump’ followed by a 250-metre descent at speeds of up to 40mph.

Manorlands Sue Ryder community fundraising manager, Andrew Wood, said the weekend had been “fantastic” and he paid tribute to all those involved.

He thanked sponsors Skipton Building Society and Mclarnon Electrical Installations, Sutton Parish Council for allowing the use of the pinnacle – which is also known as Lund’s Tower, or the Pepper Pot – and landowner the Airey family.

Mr Wood added: “The event came about through a huge amount of goodwill and couldn’t have gone ahead without the support and co-operation of many people.

“A huge thank-you also goes to the Riddlesden and East Morton support group and all the volunteers who helped out – and of course everybody who turned out to take part.”

Manorlands supports patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families at the hospice and in the community, across an area covering Craven, Airedale and Wharfedale as well as parts of Bradford. All services are free to patients, but it costs £9,000 a day to keep the hospice doors open.